Laminar flow lighted waterfall apparatus for spa

ABSTRACT

A laminar flow waterfall in the form of a single or multiple streams of water, each exiting from a nozzle in the top edge of a spa. The laminar water stream is created by a venturi nozzle located in a plenum chamber. The inlet side of the nozzle has a cover with a plurality of small holes forcing the water flow to enter the nozzle as laminar flow. A flow divider inside the venturi nozzle, from the inlet to the restriction of the nozzle, maintains the flow laminar through the nozzle. Light is injected into the flow divider at the inlet and is carried by the flow divider to be injected into the water flow at the restriction of the nozzle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to improvements in spas or hottubs, and more particularly, pertains to a new and improved waterfallapparatus in a spa.

2. Description of Related Art

Waterfall structures are common in in-ground pool installations. Thesewaterfall structures can take many shapes, providing different cascadingwater configurations such as sheet, falls, streams, tumbling waters,jets, for example. However, regardless of the form of the waterfall, thewater flow is turbulent and driven by high pressure pump equipment. Suchwaterfall structures are not well adapted for use in portable spas for,among other reasons, the high pressure pumping power available in anin-ground pool is not available in a portable spa. Most of the pumpingpower in a portable spa is reserved for the generation of the waterjetsin the spa itself. As a result, waterfall structures utilized in spastend to be merely trickles of water. The resulting waterfall effect isfound lacking. The present invention, on the other hand, provides awaterfall of power and beauty without detracting from the pumping powerneeded in the spa for the spa's other functions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A plenum chamber is constantly being filled with water at one end andejecting a laminar stream of water at another end. Light of differentcolors may be injected into the laminar stream, causing it to changecolors as desired. The laminar stream is created by a venturi nozzle incombination with a plenum chamber, with the venturi nozzle intake end inthe plenum chamber. The intake end is covered with a sieve having manysmall holes. A flow divider in the venturi nozzle extends from theintake end to the outlet end, helping to create a laminar stream ofwater at the outlet end of the nozzle. A multi-color light sourceencased in a clear plastic rod is pointed into the water flow at thesieve intake of the venturi nozzle. The flow divider in the nozzlecarries the light through the venturi nozzle body and emits it at thenozzle restriction. An escutcheon plate that fits over the outlet end ofthe venturi nozzle causes a small amount of air to be injected into thelaminar flow stream as it exits the nozzle to cause some light carriedby the flow stream to be deflected out of the stream.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The exact nature of this invention, as well as its objects andadvantages, will become readily appreciated upon consideration of thefollowing detailed description when considered in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings in which like reference numerals designate likeparts throughout the figures thereof and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of a three-stream waterfall in aspa, according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective of the waterfall apparatus of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a back perspective of the waterfall apparatus of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-section taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2 looking in thedirection indicated by the arrows.

FIG. 5 is a cross-section of a venturi nozzle according to the presentinvention along a plane perpendicular to flow through the nozzle.

FIG. 6 is a cross-section of a venturi nozzle according to the presentinvention along a plane parallel to flow through the nozzle.

FIG. 7 is a cross-section of the venturi nozzle and plenum chamber,along a plane parallel to flow through the chamber and nozzle.

FIG. 8 is a cross-section of the venturi nozzle outlet and itsescutcheon plate.

FIG. 9 is a partially broken-away section of the escutcheon plate ofFIG. 8.

FIG. 10 a cross-section and perspective of the waterfall apparatus ofFIG. 4 taken along a bisecting plane parallel to flow.

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the bottom portion of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a partially broken-away section of the plenum chamber showingthe intake flow director.

FIG. 13 is a cross-section taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 2 looking inthe direction of the arrows.

FIG. 14 is an alternate perspective of the section shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is an exploded view of the bottom part of FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 is an exploded view of the top part of FIG. 13.

FIG. 17 is an alternate perspective view of the part shown in FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is an exploded view of the top part of FIG. 4.

FIG. 19 is an exploded cross-section of the light injector of FIG. 17.

FIG. 20 is a perspective of the light source used in the lightinjection.

FIG. 21 is a perspective of the main spa light and control circuit usedin connection with the light source of FIG. 20.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred installation 11 of the waterfallapparatus of the present invention in a three stream configuration whichutilizes a plurality of nozzles 15 mounted within the top side 13 of aspa wall. The nozzles 15 are mounted at an incline to cause the streamsof water 17 exiting from the nozzles to fall into a main body of water19 contained in the spa.

As will be explained in further detail hereinafter, each stream of water17 exiting its nozzle 15 is laminar flow as distinguished from turbulentflow. The laminar flow water steam 17 is lit up and carries light like alight conduit, until the stream 17 hits the main body of water 19. Uponhitting the main body of water 19, the light within the laminar flowstream scatters, creating a desirable, pleasing and relaxing effect.

FIG. 2 is a perspective illustration of the waterfall stream generatingapparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.The apparatus includes a plenum chamber 21 which is closed by a top 23having a plurality of nozzles 15. It should be understood that anynumber of nozzles may be utilized, as long as the principles of theinvention are followed. The plenum chamber 21 has a bottom 25 with awater inlet pipe socket 29 for connecting to a water pumping system ofthe spa.

Looking at the back side of plenum chamber 21 in FIG. 3, it becomesclear that the plenum chamber top 23 is angled so that the jets 15mounted in the top 23 are aimed in a sideways direction rather thanstraight up. The back side illustration also shows a plurality of lightsource access channels 27 into the plenum chamber 21.

FIG. 4 illustrates the inside of the plenum chamber 21 cut along line4-4 of FIG. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows. The plenumchamber 21 is divided into smaller spaces or sub-chambers by walls 41that define a smaller plenum sub-chamber around each nozzle 15. Waterflow between the nozzle sub-chambers is facilitated by a notch 43 cutout at the bottom of the wall 41.

Each nozzle 15 is a venturi nozzle 35 having a larger diameter inlet 18located in the plenum chamber 21, with a smaller diameter outlet 16located in the top 23 of the plenum chamber 21. A flow divider 37extends from the inlet 18 to at least the restriction of venturi nozzle35. Inlet 18 of the nozzle is covered by a sieve cap 39 having manysmall apertures.

The light source access channel 27 into the plenum chamber 21 contains aplastic optical conductor tube 33 that is solid at the end located inthe plenum chamber. The solid end is pointed directly at the center ofthe sieve cap 39 at the inlet 18 of venturi nozzle 35.

The inlet pipe socket 29 in the bottom 25 of plenum chamber 21 containsa flow director 31 that directs water to all the nozzle sub-chamberswithin plenum chamber 21, as will be explained hereinafter. The flowdirector 31 incorporates a course sieve for controlling water flowinginto the plenum sub-chambers from inlet pipe socket 29.

FIG. 5 is a cross-section of the venturi nozzle 35 taken along a planeperpendicular to flow through the nozzle. An illustration of the flowdivider 37 looking from the outlet 16 is presented. Flow divider 37 hasa cross configuration with a rounded shaft 38 at its symmetrical center.The shaft 38 points in the direction of the outlet 16. FIG. 6 shows across-section of one of the arms of the flow divider 37. As can be seenfrom the cross-section in FIG. 6, the flow divider conforms to the shapeof the venturi nozzle 35 so that the flow divider entrance is large atthe inlet end 18 covered by sieve cap 39 and smaller as the flow dividerextends towards the restrictive throat 34 of the venturi nozzle 35.Looking down into the outlet opening 16 of venturi nozzle 35 towards theinlet in FIG. 5, one can see the inlet sieve cap 39 and the plurality ofapertures therein.

The location of the top or exit 40 of the flow divider 37 is determinedaccording to the size relationship between the flow area at the top 40of the flow divider 37 and the flow area 34 at the restriction orminimal cross-sectional area of venturi nozzle 35.

Looking again at FIG. 5, the flow area at the top or exit 40 of flowdivider 37 is determined by the open spaces 36 between the arms of theflow divider 37. The actual flow area at the top or exit 40 of flowdivider 37 is determined as follows. Determine the cross-sectional areaof the nozzle 35 at the location of the top or exit 40 of the flowdivider. Determine the cross-sectional area of the thicknesses of thearms of flow divider 37 at the top or exit 40. Subtract thecross-sectional area of the arms from the cross-sectional area of thenozzle. This is the flow area at the top or exit 40 of the flow device.This flow area must be equal to or greater than the flow area 34 at theminimum cross-sectional area or restriction of the venturi nozzle 35. Ithas been found through experimentation that this relationship iscritical to removing air bubbles from the laminar flow in the nozzle,which may form at system startup or during the course of normaloperation. The presence of air bubbles in the nozzle influences fluidflow through the nozzle in a negative and undesirable way.

Turbulence in the fluid flow into the venturi nozzle 35 is reduced bythe holes in the inlet sieve cap 39 of the venturi nozzle 35. Theseholes tend to equalize the velocities within the general fluid flow. Theflow divider 37 continues this process of flow velocity equalizationwhile increasing fluid velocity just prior to releasing of the fluidinto ambient atmosphere at the outlet 16 of the nozzle.

FIG. 7 more clearly illustrates how a light beam generated by a lightsource 47 (FIG. 20) gets injected into the laminar flow inside venturinozzle 35. The plastic light tube 33 within access channel 27 of plenumchamber 21 has a light focusing lens 44 at its output end. The lens 44focuses light from within light tube 33 onto a light gathering lens 42formed into the center of plastic inlet sieve cap 39 of venturi nozzle35 at the location of light emitter shaft 38. Light from the lightsource 47 enters the system through plastic tube 33, is focused by lens44, and travels a short distance through the water in plenum chamber 21to the light gathering lens 42 formed in inlet sieve cap 39. The lens 42in the sieve cap 39 gathers the light and concentrates it into the clearplastic flow divider 37, specifically the light shaft 38 at itssymmetrical center. The light then travels through the flow divider 37primarily through the light emitter shaft 38 to the output end. Use ofthe flow divider as a light tube minimizes light loss and maximizes thelight transference from the light source 47 to the fluid flow withinventuri nozzle 35 that is most laminar. The fluid flow then carries thelight into the atmosphere as fluid stream exiting nozzle 15.

Because of laminar flow exits nozzle 15, it was found that the lightwithin the laminar fluid flow stream was only visible within a verynarrow viewing angle, i.e., directly in front of the flow stream. Inorder to make the light within the laminar fluid flow viewable from allangles, a method of introducing air bubbles into the laminar fluid flowwas devised. By introducing air bubbles into the laminar fluid flow asit exits the nozzle 15, reflective light surfaces were created whichcaused a portion of the light in the laminar flow to scatter and escapethe water stream. The fluid stream 17 thus appeared to be lit up to thecasual viewer for a much larger viewing angle, i.e., from all sides.

According to the accepted principles of Bernoulli's equation regardingpressure and velocity in an incompressible fluid flow environment, airis entrained into the fluid flow by reducing fluid pressure andincreasing fluid velocity past the air induction points. The currentinvention utilizes this principle, but is unique in that it captures airat the top of the escutcheon 47 that fits over the nozzle 15 and directsthe air to the laminar flow within the venturi nozzle 35 at points 50 byway of an air path 48 carved into the escutcheon 46. Thus, the air beingintroduced into the laminar flow 52 (FIG. 9) is traveling in a directionopposite to a laminar flow, until it is introduced into the flow path52.

Referring now to FIG. 10, the water flow director 31 extends along theentire length of plenum chamber 21 from the center segment of plenumchamber 21 to both ends of plenum chamber 21. FIG. 10 illustrates moreclearly the apertures in the inlet sieve cap 39 for the venturi nozzle35. These apertures, along with the flow divider 37, within the venturinozzle 35, cause the body of water in plenum chamber 21 beneath venturinozzle 35 to exit the outlet 16 of venturi nozzle 35 as a laminar streamat high volume.

FIG. 11 illustrates the inlet of plenum chamber 21 more clearly, showingthe inlet pipe socket 29 which feeds water through an aperture 45 in thebottom 25 of plenum chamber 21 into a flow director 31 which directsflow not only into the plenum sub-space below the nozzle directly aboveit, but also into the other nozzle plenum sub-spaces below the othernozzles in plenum chamber 21. These nozzle plenum sub-spaces are createdby walls 41 within plenum chamber 21. The pressure throughout plenumchamber 21 is equalized by notches 43 located in the base of each wall41 in the plenum chamber, to allow the pressurized water in each of thenozzle plenum sub-spaces to communicate with each other.

FIG. 12 illustrates more clearly the bottom 25 of plenum chamber 21 andthe internal plenum sub-spaces created by walls 41 within plenum chamber21. Fluid 42 enters plenum chamber 21 through the pipe socket 29. Thisfluid flow is turbulent. It is immediately separated into two flows 44and 46 by a V-shaped flow director 31. A sieve plate 45 covers theentire inlet bottom of plenum chamber 21. The fluid flow into the threeplenum sub-chambers 44, 48 and 46 are more pressure equalized andcontain less turbulence as the result of the sieve plate 45 and the flowchannels in flow director 31.

FIG. 13 is an alternate view of the inside of the plenum chamber 21 whena different section of FIG. 2 is taken along line 13-13 looking in thedirection of the arrows. The external structure of venturi nozzle 35 issealed to the top 23 of plenum chamber 21. The light source accesschannel 27 permits the light transmissive plastic tube 33 to be insertedinto the plenum chamber 21 so that its end points directly into thecenter of inlet sieve plate 39 of venturi nozzle 35. The end of theplastic light tube 33 is solid, thereby sealing any light sourcecontained within tube 33 within its confines and focusing the light outof the end containing the focusing lens.

The flow director 31 at the bottom of plenum chamber 21 is more clearlyillustrated as containing a plurality of flow dividers 43 within theflow director 31. The water that enters plenum chamber 21 through thepipe socket 29 starts flowing in a more disciplined fashion as a result.The fluid moves into plenum chamber 21 through a course sieve 45 that ismore clearly illustrated in FIG. 14, becoming less turbulent as it does.

FIG. 14 illustrates the sieve structure of flow director 31 and theproximity of the end of light conduit 33 with the inlet sieve plate 39of venturi nozzle 35.

FIG. 15 illustrates the flow director 31, its sieve top 45 and the flowdividers 43 contained within the flow director which extends along thebottom 25 of plenum chamber 21.

FIG. 16 is a close-up of venturi nozzle 35 showing how it is sealed tothe top 23 of plenum chamber 21 and the relationship between the lightoutputting lens 34 of light channel 33 and the input sieve cap 39 ofventuri nozzle 35.

The sieve structure of the input cap 39 of venturi nozzle 35 is moreclearly illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18. A flow divider 37 attached tothe sieve cap extends from the input 39 to the restriction of theventuri nozzle 35. Flow divider 37, in conjunction with the apertures inthe sieve cover of inlet 39, is the final link, causing the streamejected from outlet 16 to be laminar. The light ejected from thefocusing lens end 44 of light tube 33 is injected into the laminar flowby the light emitter shaft 38 in the flow divider 37, causing the waterflow to carry the light within the confines of its stream.

FIG. 19 more clearly illustrates the close relationship between thesieve inlet plate 39 of the venturi nozzle and the light outputting lensend 44 of light tube 33 in plenum chamber 21.

A preferred light source for insertion into light tube 33 is a pluralityof LEDs 47 grouped in threes as shown in FIG. 20. LEDs are preferredbecause of low power requirements and the ability to create a variety ofcolors by use of the three base colors, red, blue and green, with eachone of the three LEDs being one of these base colors.

This particular arrangement allows for the generation of a variety ofdifferent colors for each of the streams of water being ejected from theventuri nozzle. These colors are controlled by an electronic circuit 53(FIG. 21) which also controls the main light 55 in the spa. The colorsequencing of the main light 55 preferably matches the color sequencingof the individual lights 47 in the waterfall 17.

The light generating circuitry 53 is more fully described in U.S. Pat.No. 6,435,691 granted Aug. 20, 2002 for Light Apparatus of Portable Spasand the Like, the complete disclosure of that patent being incorporatedherein by reference.

It should be understood that the color source for the individual streamsof water being ejected from the venturi nozzles may take other formsthan as specifically described herein.

1. A waterfall apparatus for a spa, comprising: a plenum chamber havingan inlet and outlet, water flowing into the inlet; and a venturi nozzlehaving an inlet and outlet, the inlet of the nozzle located at theoutlet of the plenum chamber, the venturi nozzle adapted to causelaminar flow from the nozzle outlet.
 2. The waterfall apparatus of claim1 further comprising a light source introduced into the water flow inthe venturi nozzle.
 3. The waterfall apparatus of claim 2 wherein thelight source comprises a plurality of LEDs, each one being a differentcolor.
 4. The waterfall apparatus of claim 3 wherein the plurality ofLEDs comprises a red, a green, and a blue LED.
 5. The waterfallapparatus of claim 2 wherein the venturi nozzle comprises a flow dividerhaving an entrance and an exit for dividing flow through the nozzle. 6.The waterfall apparatus of claim 5 wherein the flow divider carrieslight from the light source.
 7. The waterfall apparatus of claim 6wherein the flow divider emits the light at the exit into the laminarflow.
 8. The waterfall apparatus of claim 7 wherein the flow dividercomprises a light shaft for carrying the light from the entrance to theexit of the flow divider.
 9. The waterfall apparatus of claim 1 whereinthe venturi nozzle comprises a sieve at the inlet of the venturi nozzle.10. The waterfall apparatus of claim 1 wherein the venturi nozzlecomprises a flow divider having an entrance and exit for dividing flowthrough the nozzle.
 11. The waterfall apparatus of claim 10 wherein theflow divider divides flow through the venturi nozzle from the inlet ofthe nozzle to the restriction of the nozzle.
 12. The waterfall apparatusof claim 11 wherein the flow area within the venturi nozzle at the exitof the flow divider is equal to the flow area at the restriction of thenozzle.
 13. The waterfall apparatus of claim 11 wherein the flow areawithin the venturi nozzle at the exit of the flow divider is greaterthan the flow area at the restriction of the nozzle.
 14. The waterfallapparatus of claim 1 wherein the plenum chamber comprises a course sieveat the inlet to the chamber.
 15. The waterfall apparatus of claim 1further comprising an escutcheon plate placed over the nozzle outlet forintroducing a certain amount of air bubbles into the laminar flowexiting the nozzle outlet.
 16. A waterfall apparatus for a spa,comprising: a plenum chamber having an inlet and a plurality of outlets,an internal wall separating the chamber into a plurality ofsub-chambers, water flowing into the inlet; and a plurality of venturinozzles, each nozzle having an inlet and outlet, one nozzle located ateach outlet of the plenum chamber; the inlet of a nozzle located at anoutlet of the plenum chamber, each venturi nozzle adapted to causelaminar flow from the nozzle outlet.
 17. The waterfall apparatus ofclaim 16 further comprising a plurality of light sources, one lightsource introduced in the water flow in each venturi nozzle.
 18. Thewaterfall apparatus of claim 16 wherein each venturi nozzle comprises asieve at the inlet of the nozzle.
 19. The waterfall apparatus of claim16 wherein each venturi nozzle comprises a flow divider for dividingflow through the nozzle.
 20. The waterfall apparatus of claim 16 whereinthe plenum chamber comprises a course sieve at the inlet of the chamber.21. The waterfall apparatus of claim 16 wherein the inlet of the plenumchamber is aligned with one of the venturi nozzles.
 22. The waterfallapparatus of claim 20 wherein the plenum chamber comprises a flowdirector having an inlet and outlet located at the inlet of the plenumchamber, for directing fluid into the separate spaces in the plenumchamber for each of the venturi nozzles.
 23. The waterfall apparatus ofclaim 22 wherein the flow director includes a flow divider from theinlet to the outlet.
 24. The waterfall apparatus of claim 23 wherein theinlet of the plenum chamber at the outlet of the flow director iscovered with a course sieve.
 25. A waterfall apparatus for a spa,comprising a plenum chamber having an inlet and a plurality of outlets,water flowing into the inlet; a plurality of venturi nozzles, eachnozzle having an inlet and an outlet, one nozzle located at each outletof the plenum chamber, the inlet of a nozzle located at an outlet of theplenum chamber, each venturi nozzle adapted to cause laminar flow fromthe nozzle outlet; and a plurality of sieve plates, one sieve plate atthe inlet of each venturi nozzle.
 26. The waterfall apparatus of claim25 further comprising a light source introduced into the water flow ineach venturi nozzle.
 27. The waterfall apparatus of claim 26 wherein thelight source comprises a plurality of LEDs, each one being a differentcolor.
 28. The waterfall apparatus of claim 27 wherein the plurality ofLEDs comprises a red, a green, and a blue LED.
 29. The waterfallapparatus of claim 26 wherein each venturi nozzle comprises a flowdivider having an entrance and an exit for dividing flow through thenozzle.
 30. The waterfall apparatus of claim 29 wherein the flow dividercarries light from the light source.
 31. The waterfall apparatus ofclaim 30 wherein the flow divider emits the light at the exit end intothe laminar flow.
 32. The waterfall apparatus of claim 31 wherein theflow divider comprises a light shaft for carrying the light from theentrance to the exit of the flow divider.
 33. The waterfall apparatus ofclaim 29 wherein the flow divider divides flow through the venturinozzle from the inlet of the nozzle to the restriction of the nozzle.34. The waterfall apparatus of claim 33 wherein the flow area within theventuri nozzle at the exit of the flow divider is equal to the flow areaat the restriction of the nozzle.
 35. The waterfall apparatus of claim33 wherein the flow area within the venturi nozzle at the exit of theflow divider is greater than the flow area at the restriction of thenozzle.
 36. A waterfall apparatus for a spa having a walled enclosurefor containing water, the walls of the enclosure having a top side, thewaterfall apparatus comprising: a nozzle having an inlet and an outlet,the outlet of the nozzle located at the top side of the walled enclosurewith the nozzle pointing towards the inside of the walled enclosure; anda source of water flow connected to the inlet of the nozzle, therebycausing water to flow out of the outlet of the nozzle, through the air,and into the water contained by the walled enclosure.
 37. The waterfallapparatus of claim 36 wherein the source of water flow comprises aplenum chamber having an inlet and outlet, with water flowing into theinlet of the chamber.
 38. The waterfall apparatus of claim 36 whereinthe nozzle comprises a venturi nozzle.
 39. The waterfall apparatus ofclaim 36 wherein the nozzle comprises a flow divider having an entranceand an exit for dividing flow through the nozzle.
 40. The waterfallapparatus of claim 39 further comprising a light source for introducinglight into the nozzle.
 41. The waterfall apparatus of claim 40 whereinthe flow divider carries light from the light source into the interiorof the nozzle.
 42. The waterfall apparatus of claim 36 wherein thenozzle has a restriction between the nozzle inlet and outlet.
 43. Thewaterfall apparatus of claim 42 wherein the nozzle comprises a flowdivider having an entrance and an exit for dividing flow through thenozzle.
 44. The waterfall apparatus of claim 43 further comprising alight source for introducing light in the nozzle.
 45. The waterfallapparatus of claim 44 wherein the flow divider carries light from thelight source in the interior of the nozzle.
 46. The waterfall apparatusof claim 43 wherein the flow area within the nozzle at the exit of theflow divider is equal to the flow area at the restriction of the nozzle.47. The waterfall apparatus of claim 43 wherein the flow area within thenozzle at the exit of the flow divider is greater than the flow area atthe restriction of the nozzle.
 48. The waterfall apparatus of claim 36wherein the nozzle comprises a sieve at the inlet.
 49. The waterfallapparatus of claim 36, further comprising a means for introducing airbubbles in the flow from the outlet of the nozzle.
 50. A waterfallapparatus for a water containing enclosure, wherein the enclosure has atop side, the waterfall apparatus, comprising: a nozzle having an inletand an outlet, the outlet located at the top side of the enclosure; asource of water flow connected to the inlet of the nozzle, therebycausing water to flow out of the nozzle outlet, through the air, andinto the water containing enclosure; and a light source adapted toinject light into the water flow at the nozzle inlet.
 51. The waterfallapparatus of claim 50 further comprising a shaft having a receiving andemitting end located in the nozzle between the inlet and outlet of thenozzle, the receiving end of the shaft receiving light from the lightsource, the shaft carrying the light to the emitting end, where it isinjected into the water flow through the nozzle.
 52. The waterfallapparatus of claim 51 wherein the shaft is in the center of a flowdivider located in the nozzle, the flow divider having an entrance andan exit and adapted for dividing flow through the nozzle.
 53. Thewaterfall apparatus of claim 52 wherein the nozzle has a restrictionbetween the nozzle inlet and outlet.
 54. The waterfall apparatus ofclaim 53 wherein the emitting end of the shaft is located at therestriction in the nozzle.
 55. The waterfall apparatus of claim 54wherein the nozzle includes a sieve at the inlet.
 56. An apparatus forinjecting light into a stream of water, the apparatus comprising: alight channel having a first and second end, the first end being in thestream of water; and a light emitter shaft for carrying light having afirst and second end, located in the stream of water, with the first endpointing at the first end of the light channel.
 57. The light injectingapparatus of claim 56 further comprising: a lens at the first end of thelight channel for focusing light exiting the first end.
 58. The lightinjecting apparatus of claim 56 wherein the light channel is closed atthe first end and open at the second end, the second end being outsideof the stream of water.
 59. The light injecting apparatus of claim 58further comprising: a lens at the first end of the light channel forfocusing light exiting the first end.
 60. The light injecting apparatusof claim 58 further comprising: an LED light source at the second end ofthe light channel.
 61. The light injecting apparatus of claim 60 whereinthe LED light source comprises a plurality of different color LEDs. 62.The light injecting apparatus of claim 61 wherein the plurality ofdifferent color LEDs comprises a red, green and blue LED.
 63. The lightinjecting apparatus of claim 57 wherein the lens at the first end of thelight channel focuses light onto the first end of the light emittershaft.
 64. The light injecting apparatus of claim 63 wherein the secondend of the light emitter shaft injects light into the stream of water.65. The light injecting apparatus of claim 64 wherein the second end ofthe light emitter shaft is located in about the center of the stream ofwater and pointing in the direction of flow of the stream of water. 66.The light injecting apparatus of claim 65 wherein the first end of thelight emitter shaft is located in about the center of the stream ofwater.
 67. The light injecting apparatus of claim 66 wherein the lightchannel is closed at the first end and open at the second end, thesecond end being outside of the stream of water.
 68. The light injectingapparatus of claim 67 further comprising: an LED light source at thesecond end of the light channel.
 69. The light injecting apparatus ofclaim 68 wherein the LED light source comprises a plurality of differentcolor LEDs.
 70. The light injecting apparatus of claim 69 wherein theplurality of different color LEDs comprises a red, green and blue LED.71. The light injecting apparatus of claim 66 further comprising a flowdivider supporting the light emitter shaft in the stream of water. 72.The light injecting apparatus of claim 71 wherein the flow dividercomprises a plurality of flat panels extending from the light emittershaft to the edge of the stream of water, the panels being aligned withthe flow of the stream of water.
 73. The light injecting apparatus ofclaim 72 further comprising a sieve supporting the plurality of flatpanels at one end, the sieve being transverse to the flow of the streamof water.
 74. The light injecting apparatus of claim 73 wherein thelight channel is closed at the first end and open at the second end, thesecond end being outside of the stream of water.
 75. The light injectingapparatus of claim 74 further comprising: an LED light source at thesecond end of the light channel.
 76. The light injecting apparatus ofclaim 75 wherein the LED light source comprises a plurality of differentcolor LEDs.
 77. The light injecting apparatus of claim 76 wherein theplurality of different color LEDs comprises a red, green and blue LED.